Germany Rank Audiovisual/Rank Photographic Ltd. Rapid Rectilinear

Radix, (Bilora), Germany The maker was Kürbi & Niggeloh, Radevormwald, Germany. The Biloxar anastigmat may be bought in but has their name. It was sold in the UK in large numbers in the 1950's on the Radix camera for 24x24mm in at least two apertures. Other lenses were Radionar f3.5. Biloxar f5.6 38mm Biloxar f3.5 38mm (1951). Rank Audiovisual/Rank Photographic Ltd. The Rank organization were agents for several Japanese brands into the 1970's. These included Nikon, Pentax, Mamiya, beginning with the take over of Pullin Optical, who were the Nikon agents in 1964 with Neville Brown, its subsidiary. With Sankyo cine cameras this made Rank the biggest importer of photographic goods in the UK. The name occurs on lenses listed as Rank/Taylor, Taylor and Hobson Ltd listed under TTH below. Fig 021 008 Rank/TTH Sopelem f1.3/15mm CCTV lens. (Made in France). Rapid Rectilinear= Rapid Aplanat. This was the standard 19 Century lens when the greater speed of the Petzval Portrait was not needed. For the origin, see Dallmeyer and Steinheil, and the almost complete coincidence of their discoveries. Both seem to have used various types of flint glass exclusively, but books often refer to the use of crown+flint- surely not always in error, though Traill Taylor says it is impossible to produce with ordinary flint and crown. Unusually dense crown is acceptable however. But there are some points to note. Firstly, the Steinheil seems to be drawn with rather thicker glasses and secondly it seems to be often an f7.0 rather than the f7.7 of the Dallmeyer. Also that the choice available today is quite wide. (1) Originally, they were issued as a wide angle RR at f16 maximum aperture, and extended (2) to a normal angle lens at f7.7. But two other types were sold. (3) The portrait RR was slowly extended from about f5.0 to f4.0 and provided a lens nearly as fast as the Petzval but with more even sharpness over the image. And the weight of the f7.7 in the larger sizes forced makers to consider an answer, and the result was (4) the Portable RR working at about f11, which was the answer for many outdoor workers. Often, the cells were of slightly different focus though there was an opinion then that ones of equal focus were preferable. Lastly (5) there were also sets of cells sold as casket sets, to offer a range of focal lengths. (6) Another type was the Detective Aplanat, typically at about f6. The original RR's were poorly corrected for astigmatism, though the designs certainly improved with time. However the sale of Jena glass from about 1886 allowed the introduction of new designs with better corrections, while the old glasses were still used on cheaper, often anonymous lenses. Thus the above 6 types can be imagined as doubled since most of them could be in old glass or use new. Most of these will be in brass finish, though later types are in shutters and may be in black enamel. And finally there was a tendency for the German and other optical companies to continue the RR or Aplanat for projection well after they had ceased to use it for taking lenses. This has produced some exotica as the existence of a real Zeiss Aplanat is otherwise unlikely, but note that these were designed for use over a narrower angle rather than for in camera use. The RR is actually a really viable lens today provided it is not pushed too hard- use small apertures, and not the full angle illuminated,- and it was made well into the 20Century, though sales after 1920 must have dwindled to a trickle. It is noticeable that both American Annuals of Photography for 1939 and 1947 have articles on users of RR's: One was William H. Jackson (1843- 1937?) who pioneered photography over the West of USA and lived well into the modern period, and made still impressive pictures on formats up to 20x24in, on wet plate before enlarging was normal. (1868-1880). The camera was transported on a mule, and there is a shot of his horsedrawn darkroom on wheels also. Lenses included Ross Symmetricals, Portable Symmetricals, and a (Voigtlaender?) Euryscope- he preferred the Ross lenses, but this may be due to the focal length available as he notes using a single cell as a long lens, eg at f50 for 3 or 4 min exposure, also f32 and even f16 with the Portable Symmetrical.(Annual 1939, p216). A later user was F. J. Mortimer (1874-1944) who made many of his well known negatives as a young man working on the beach or small boats off the South of England (Southsea) and used them for many years while the respected Assistant Editor of the Amateur Photographer, The Photographic News and editor of the Amateur Photographer (1908-1944) and influential in the R.P.S., untill killed by a flying bomb in 1944. He used a camera fitted inside an outer box to keep off spray, with RR and a focal plane shutter, often at f16, the choice being to limit the cost of what was really nearly a disposable camera. Note also Eidoscop used by J. O. Echague.(1950 Edition). The RR was available on new cameras as late as 1926 or probably even 1930. Some late users were the O.Sichel camera in B.J.A. 1926, p312 and the Kodak folders of the same dates. It was still a fully viable design, but not too cheap to make; in fact, probably the cost was little less than a triplet of the same speed and the term Anastigmat was valuable. So the RR came to the end of the road. A Kodak Series III of this date (B.J.A. 1926, p317) seems only to have an anastigmat, with a very sharp image -- right to the edge. Today, RR prices tend to be low or scrap, except for the Portrait lenses or where there is a definite connexion with some particular camera. The anonymous versions are nearly valueless and often of makeshift quality. One feature is the very large number engraved apparently with the names of the shops which originally sold them in the 19C, so that the number of names here can be very large. These are themselves a fascinating aspect if a minor one. Rathenauer- see E. Busch, Rathenow, about 1900. We thank R. Watson (UK) and H. Schrauf (Germany) for additional information on Rathenau and its companies. Information would still be useful on the dates during which Busch traded as ROIA rather than as Busch as this could be a good way of dating lenses about 1900. Rau, Wetzlar, Germany. They are noted for one lens only: there may be others. Optar f2.8 20mm (c.1955) for Fotal 8x12mm. (The trade name is much better known in the Graphic connotation.) Ravilious, J. (1939-1999) In 1996, he published a book 'A Corner of England' pub Devon Books, (Tel 01884 243242) based on negatives shot with old uncoated lenses and tended to prefer these, both as Elmars in 35mm and Tessars in large formats. Also 'The heart of the Country' and 'An English Eye'. (See 'Country Life' by P.Hamilton in B.J.P. 30/10/1996 p20) Sadly, he did not detail which lenses were used in 'Corner', merely saying he used Leica rangefinder cameras often with 35mm lenses, especially the earlier uncoated ones. His books are a fine example of what can be done with them today on modern materials. Raynox, brand name agented by Photopia, Newcastle, Staffs, UK about 1974. The lenses were listed for Pentax M42 and Minolta only as follows. f3.5, 25mm; f2.8, 28mm; f2.8, 35mm; f2.8, 135mm; f3.5, 200mm; f4.0 Zoom, 90-210mm. Record Keeping There are very real advantages in keeping good records of a collection. At the least, these can help with an insurance claim in the event of a loss by theft or fire, but actually much more is possible in recording the development of a collection and the prices paid or thought to apply. And in time this can develop real historical value. Many of the serial numbers in the Vademecum have been made available from collectors lists of items. Normally the record might contain for each item: Date of aquisition Original maker Trade name of lens design Serial number Maximum aperture (and minimum perhaps) Focal length Weight (perhaps) Finish such as brass or enamel or chrome Any short note such as "fits Korelle" Purchase price (and present value if known!) Note that the price of a lens is less well defined than the price of a camera, which can be fairly indeterminate itself. Thus there is a less active market in lenses with fewer items and less publicity than with cameras, where there are well regarded price guides to form a basis for a deal. In general, prices are often lowest between private individuals and increase in order for purchases from Fairs, from Auctions and finally from dealers. But note that a dealer may offer a worthwhile warranty and have to pay taxes on his sale where the others are able to avoid this. Prices also can vary quite unpredictably when an item may suddenly become fashionable and the limited supply means the price quickly rises. This has occurred recently with older movie lenses and before that with Voigtlaender ApoLanthar lenses, and some soft focus lenses. But long term the fact is that prices have tended to rise on most items due to the limited number of lenses available and the increasing numbers of collectors.

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